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Hot shooting Millikin beats Vikings at home

Molly Etheridge scored a game-high 22 points in Augustana's 75-65 loss to Millikin on Wednesday, February 6 in the Carver Center.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Despite a game-high 22 points from junior Molly Etheridge (Normal Community HS, Bloomington, Ill.), Augustana dropped a 75-65 decision to Millikin in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin action on Wednesday, February 6 in the Carver Center. Millikin used a 14-2 run midway through the second half to break the game open and avenge a Viking victory earlier in the season in Decatur, Illinois.

After trailing 38-29 at halftime, Augustana had the lead cut to five points (42-37) with 15:24 left to play after a basket by freshman Marissa Pezzopane (Addison Trail HS, Wood Dale, Ill.) on a rebound of her own missed shot. The visiting Big Blue then scored 14 of the game's next 16 points to go up by 17 (56-39) with 8:59 left to play.

The Vikings managed to cut the lead to eight four times down the stretch but could get no closer. The last time came with :42 left off a basket by Etheridge that made it 69-61. However, in the final minute of play Millikin made eight of eight from the free throw line. The Big Blue scored their last 12 points of the game from the charity stripe and were a scintillating 24 of 26 from the free throw line in the game.

Millikin was equally as hot from the field, connecting on .600 (24-40) from the floor with Brittany Czaplicki led the way with 20 points as she hit five of seven from the field and 10 of 10 from the free throw line. Bria Williams had 17 points while Jasmine Johnson dropped in 12 and Olya Cholewick scored 10.

Etheridge hit seven of 18 from the field with three of six from three point range and was five of six from the free throw line. She also had five rebounds with an assist and three steals. Senior Gianna Pecora (Downers Grove South HS, Darien, Ill.) scored 12 and junior Jessica Baids (West Chicago HS, Carol Stream, Ill.) was also in double digits with 10 points.

Augustana is now 7-15 overall and 2-9 in the CCIW while Millikin is 8-13 and 3-8.